I learned so much attending PainWeek this year, the largest conference for pain providers in the US! CBD was a hot topic, as you can imagine, and the results of 3 interesting studies were presented that I wanted to share with you. The first two were surveys of pain clinic patients, and 14-37% reported trying a CBD product. Most reported some benefit for their condition, with few side effects. The other study, also at a pain clinic, followed patients taking CBD capsules for ten months, and noted really impressive reduction of usage of other medications. Research summaries available here. You can learn about my doctor-formulated CBD and herbal products at www.fridabotanicals.com.

Study 1: A pain clinic in Indiana surveyed 4578 of their patients, and 648 reported (around 14%) reported using CBD oil. They made no differentiation based on various product brands or dosage, but they did ask about how many times a day CBD was taken. Patients found the most pain reduction with four times daily dosing. Among those who used CBD, less than 10% reported any side effects, primarily sleepiness. Patients reported significant improvement in these areas:

Insomnia

Anxiety

Depression

Pain

Overall function

Study 2: An online survey of 253 pain clinic patients in California found that 63% reported trying a CBD and THC product, and 37% reported using a CBD-only product. The “majority responded that CBD products have helped with their pain condition”, including back pain (64%), nerve pain (38%), neck pain (38%), migraines (30%) and fibromyalgia (19%).

Pain conditions helped by CBD in one survey

Study 3: An Arizona pain center found that CBD capsules helped patients lower their other medication usage, including opioid and NSAIDs, and caused very little side effects. Their patients tookCBD capsules dosing from 25mg-100mg daily (in twice daily dosage) and less than 1% reported side effects. Over the course of 10 months:

61% of the patients taking CBD were able to lower dosage of opioids

64% were able to lessen or stop NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drugs)

18% reduced muscle relaxant usage

Less than 1% reported side effects, most common were headache and agitation/nervousness.